Parliamentary Rugby League Group Chairman calls for rethink over Challenge Cup semi-final location

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, has written to the RFL asking for the venue of the Challenge Cup semi-final between London Broncos and Wigan Warriors to be changed.

His call comes after Broncos fans raised the issue with the Group, which sees the Wigan team having to travel around five miles to play whilst the Broncos and their fans have to travel forty times that distance in what will be one of the most important games of the season for the two clubs.

After sending his letter, Mulholland said: “I appreciate there are a whole raft of issues that have to be considered when choosing an impartial location for a game of this scale and importance; but the distance fans have to travel should be fundamental.  Asking London fans to travel up to Lancashire for a neutral semi-final to be played only five miles away from Wigan is not fair.

Mulholland suggested the RFL consider using a game somewhere between Wigan and London.  He continued:
“We’ve heard a great deal from the RFL at our regular meetings about the importance placed on the development of the game.  Why not find a venue in the midlands and use the game to draw-in a new audience. Perhaps organised in conjunction with one of the new Championship One Clubs or at other suitable stadiums, including football or rugby union grounds.”